An Alabama sawmill is in hot water with federal OSHA following an investigation that found that a fatal incident occurred because of the company’s willful disregard for safety.
The investigation revealed that, for the second time in three years, the sawmill could have prevented a tragic incident by following OSHA lockout/tagout requirements.
OSHA began its investigation in August 2023 when first responders reported that a 67-year-old sawmill supervisor had climbed on top of an auger to unclog a woodchipper. The woodchipper started while the supervisor was on top of the augur, causing him to get caught in the machinery where he sustained fatal injuries.
In response to the fatal 2023 incident, OSHA cited the sawmill for 22 willful violations, one repeat violation and five serious violations.
Prior to the investigation over the 2023 incident, OSHA had inspected the sawmill four times in the past five years, including for a fatality in 2020 that resulted in four willful and 10 serious violations.
The sawmill was added to OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program in 2020.
Fine: $2,471,683
Company: MDLG Inc., doing business as Phenix Lumber Co., Phenix City, Alabama
Business: Sawmill
Reasons for fine:
22 willful violations for failing to:
- use procedures for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in certain maintenance activities (six separate violations)
- ensure that authorized employees affixed lockout/tagout devices to each energy isolating device (six separate violations)
- train authorized employees to recognize hazardous energy sources and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation (three separate violations)
- provide employees with fall protection when they are on a working surface with an unprotected side or edge 4 feet or more above lower levels (two separate violations)
- ensure employees working less than 4 feet above dangerous equipment was protected from falling by using a guardrail or travel restraint system (three separate violations)
- provide standard railings on platforms 4 feet or more above floor level
- provide means to guard against accidental injuries at conveyor transfer, loading or discharge points
One repeat violation for failing to:
- ensure that each powered industrial truck operator was competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely
Five serious violations for failing to:
- provide employment free from recognized crushed-by hazards that could result in death or seriously physical harm
- maintain fire extinguishers in fully charged and operable condition
- close unused openings in electrical boxes
- ensure flexible cords weren’t connected in a way that put tension on joints or terminal screws
- provide disconnecting means for a controller within sight of the controller location
